We asked New Mexico’s top Democrats if they support the governor’s gun ban. Here’s what they said

New Mexico Democratic leaders did not support Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s order to ban gun ownership using public health provisions after the Daily Caller News Foundation contacted them for comment .

Grisham announced the order on September 8, which prohibits the possession of firearms for 30 days outside private residences in the city of Albuquerque and surrounding Bernalillo County. After the order was widely criticized by gun control advocates as well as the state attorney general, who interrogates its constitutionality, the DCNF contacted New Mexico’s federal and state Democratic elected leaders to see if they supported the measure, but all but two did not respond. (RELATED: Sheriff Defies Blue State Governor’s ‘Unconstitutional’ Gun Ban)

“(We) must focus on constitutional and enforceable solutions. This is what will save lives,” wrote Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, the state’s senior U.S. senator, in a statement shared with the DCNF. This order is widely considered unconstitutional and contrary to the Second Amendment.

BREAKING: New Mexico’s attorney general tells the governor he won’t defend his carry ban, saying, “I don’t believe it meets the constitutional standard.” pic.twitter.com/ORat27wAvn

– Gun Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) September 12, 2023

Those concerns prompted Democratic Attorney General Raúl Torrez of New Mexico to decline to defend the order in court.

“I do not believe that the emergency order will have a significant impact on public safety, but, more importantly, I do not believe that it meets the constitutional requirements,” Torrez wrote in a letter to Grisham that was published. published on Twitter, now known as Mexico. »

Torrez’s prediction proved correct after Judge David Urias of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico issued an injunction preventing the ban from taking effect, following five lawsuits against Grisham over the order. “Plaintiffs have demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits because their Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights to publicly carry a firearm for self-defense will be violated if (the order) remains in effect,” Urias wrote.

Amid legal and political challenges, Grisham announced Friday that she would amend her order, limiting its scope to public parks and places where children congregate.

Aside from Heinrich, only Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District responded to the DCNF. His office shared a published statement signaling a departure from Grisham’s policies.

“We must resolve this crisis by keeping New Mexico families safe while supporting constitutional solutions and protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens,” Vasquez wrote, appearing to contrast constitutional measures with the executive order. Grisham.

However, Democratic Sheriff John Allen of Bernalillo County criticized Grisham for his decision – saying he was wary of placing deputies in “civil liability” disputes – while Democratic Sen. Joesph Cervantes of Las Cruces called Grisham to cancel the measure.

“(This) kind of approach leads to excessive surveillance of our communities, racial profiling, and increased misery in the lives of already marginalized people,” an American Civil Liberties Union official wrote in a statement regarding the governor’s order.

Aside from Heinrich and Vasquez, no other elected Democratic leader in New Mexico responded to questions. The DCNF contacted Lt. Gov. Henry Morales, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico — who is Grisham’s cousin, both members of the Lujan political family — Reps. Teresa Fernandez and Melanie Stansbury, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Javier Martinez, the state senator. Speaker Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, State Senator Majority Leader Peter Wirth, State Senator Majority Whip Michael Padilla, House Majority Leader Gail Chasey and House Whip of the majority in the House of Representatives Reena Szczepanski.

“In my view, no constitutional right, including my oath, is intended to be absolute,” Grisham said at a news conference after the order was announced.

Grisham did not respond to DCNF’s request for comment.

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